Health professionals for Psychogenic Bulimia - Psychogenic Anorexia in Thessaloniki

Maria Tsirakidou is a Psychologist with a private practice in Thessaloniki. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the University of Portsmouth and holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Child Clinical Psychology from Anglia Ruskin University in England. Subsequently, she trained and was certified in Systemic Therapy and Counseling through a four-year program at the Center for Systemic Therapy and Counseling (Ke.S.Me.Th.). She has clinical experience in healthcare institutions. Her professional expertise covers a broad range of adult mental health issues including anxiety, panic attacks, mood disorders, eating disorders, unwanted behaviors including addictions, trauma, phobias, obsessive thoughts and compulsions, grief, chronic pain, and psychosomatic problems. Additionally, she provides psychological support for chronic and non-chronic conditions, aiming at managing the challenges arising from an illness and promoting overall health. Within a framework of safety, trust, and respect for the uniqueness of each individual, the goal is the well-being of clients and the management of their individualized needs. She has participated in educational programs for refugee children in schools in England.

Ο Μάριος Μπαγιάστας είναι Κλινικός Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπευτής με άδεια ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος, εξειδικευμένος στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT) και στη χρήση τεχνικών Mindfulness. Παρέχει δια ζώσης συνεδρίες στο γραφείο του στο κέντρο της Αθήνας αλλά και online ψυχοθεραπευτικές συνεδρίες, δίνοντας τη δυνατότητα σε άτομα από όλη την Ελλάδα και το εξωτερικό να λάβουν ψυχολογική υποστήριξη από την άνεση του προσωπικού τους χώρου. Διαθέτει πτυχίο Ψυχολογίας από το University of East London και μεταπτυχιακό δίπλωμα στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία από το Euraka, ενώ έχει ολοκληρώσει και δεύτερο μεταπτυχιακό στην Κλινική Ψυχολογία από το London Metropolitan University. Επιπλέον έχει παρακολουθήσει μετεκπαίδευση στις Αγχώδεις και Καταθλιπτικές Διαταραχές από το Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών (ΕΚΠΑ). Κατά τη διάρκεια των συνεδριών του, ενσωματώνει τεχνικές Mindfulness, βοηθώντας τους θεραπευόμενους να εστιάσουν στο "εδώ και τώρα", να διαχειριστούν το άγχος και τις αρνητικές σκέψεις και να ενισχύσουν τη συναισθηματική τους ισορροπία. Η χρήση Mindfulness έχει αποδειχθεί ιδιαίτερα αποτελεσματική στη μείωση του άγχους, των κρίσεων πανικού και της κατάθλιψης, ενισχύοντας τη συνολική ψυχική ευεξία. Με σημαντική εμπειρία σε φορείς Ψυχικής Υγείας όπως οι Ψυχαγκάλη, Roe, Mytherapist και Milamou, ο Μάριος Μπαγιάστας έχει συνεργαστεί με άτομα που αντιμετωπίζουν: Αγχώδεις Διαταραχές, Κατάθλιψη, Κρίσεις Πανικού και Φοβίες, Διαταραχές Διατροφής, Διαχείριση Θυμού και Διαχείριση Πένθους. Οι συνεδρίες που προσφέρει έχουν σχεδιαστεί για να προσαρμόζονται στις ανάγκες του κάθε θεραπευόμενου, προσφέροντας ένα ασφαλές και υποστηρικτικό περιβάλλον. Με στόχο τη δημιουργία ενός κλίματος εμπιστοσύνης και αποδοχής, βοηθά τους θεραπευόμενους να ενδυναμώσουν την αυτογνωσία τους, να αποκτήσουν ψυχική ανθεκτικότητα και να ζήσουν μια ζωή γεμάτη ισορροπία και ευεξία. Οι αξίες που διέπουν τη δουλειά του είναι η ενσυναίσθηση, η αποδοχή, το πραγματικό ενδιαφέρον για τον άνθρωπο και η αγάπη για την επιστήμη της Ψυχολογίας.

Kondylis Antonis is a Psychologist who provides individual adult sessions with experience in anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and phobias. He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and has undergone further training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Giourga Filanthi BSc is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She graduated from the Department of Nutrition Science and Dietetics at the International Hellenic University. She has attended numerous seminars related to nutrition and has completed specializations in Clinical Nutrition and Eating Disorders at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her goal is to provide personalized nutritional solutions, tailored to the needs, lifestyle, and objectives of each individual. She focuses on weight management, improving health in chronic conditions, supporting cases of eating disorders, as well as nutritional education across all age groups. She believes that nutrition is not merely a diet but a lifestyle that can bring balance, well-being, and long-term health. Her purpose is to support every individual with guidance, encouragement, and positive energy, enabling them to develop healthy habits that will accompany them throughout their lives.

Dr. Samaras Apostolos is a Mental Health Counselor with a private practice in Thessaloniki. He holds a degree in Clinical Psychology and Pathology from the University of Paris Paris VIII and possesses an advanced diploma (D.E.A.) in education from the same University. The Mental Health Counselor specializes in communication issues, interpersonal relationships, and has particular expertise in family and marital psychotherapy, anxiety disorders, and behavioral problems. He continuously participates in conferences and seminars to stay updated on developments in his field and has a substantial number of publications in the Greek press. Finally, Dr. Samaras Apostolos is a member of the Hellenic Psychological Society, the World Federation for Mental Health, the International Association of Family Therapy, and the International Society of Psychopathology & Clinical Psychology.

Ntourou Iliana MSc is a graduate of Psychology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Erasmus University of Rotterdam, Netherlands. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) through the Hellenic Association of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (HACBP) according to the criteria of the European Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT), and since 2021 she has been a doctoral candidate in the Medical Department of the University of Ioannina. In recent years, she has been providing psychotherapy sessions in the center of Thessaloniki. Simultaneously, since 2022, she holds a position as a Collaborating Researcher at the National Center for Research (CERTH), where among her duties are conducting research studies and providing training to healthcare professionals. Finally, she is under continuous supervision for the management of her cases.

Liarigkovinou Anna is a Psychologist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She holds a degree in Psychology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and specializes in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy at the Institute of Psychology and Health, in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy of Children and Adolescents from the Scientific Association for Child and Adolescent Care, as well as in Psychoanalytic understanding of Psychopathology related to anxiety disorders, depression, psychological trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, narcissistic personality organization, psychosomatic phenomena, psychotic phenomena, gender and sexuality issues at the Psychoanalytic Society of Northern Greece. She has attended numerous seminars and training programs such as: 2022 I.P.S.Y. "Early Sexual Abuse" • 2022 I.P.S.Y. "The Inner Child Technique" • 2022 I.P.S.Y "Borderline Pathology" • 2021 I.P.S.Y. "The Enigma of Psychosomatics" • 2021 I.P.S.Y. "Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques" • 2020 I.P.S.Y. "Crisis Intervention" • 2018-2019 S.Y.ME.PE. "Introduction to Group Psychotherapy" • 2018-2019 S.Y.ME.PE. "Assessment and Therapeutic Planning in Situations of Psychosocial Distress. Family Retention or Removal of the Child" • 2018-2019 S.Y.ME.PE. "Introduction to Psychoanalytic Concepts" • 2011-2012 AKSPA "Reading the Symptom, Introduction to Lacanian Clinic" annual training program • 2011 E.E.F.I.E. "Addictive Substances: Myths and Reality" • 2009 Hellenic Society of the New Lacanian School "The Post-Freudian Adolescent" • 2009 AUTh and P.E.V.E. "Contemporary Developments in Health Psychology"

Thomas Palikrousis is a Psychologist (UEL), certified Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapist (EEGSPS), Dietitian-Nutritionist (ATEITH), and Food Technologist (ATEITH), twice awarded scholarships by the State Scholarship Foundation (IKY). He holds four postgraduate degrees (MSc) in Aging and Chronic Disease Management (HOU), Quality Management and Food Industry Production Organization (ATEITH), Quality Assurance (HOU), and Food Chemistry (AUTH). He is a doctoral candidate at the Department of Food Science and Technology (DIPE), a student in the Department of Agriculture at the University of Western Macedonia, and a postgraduate student in Applied Developmental Psychology (HOU).

His professional work focuses on bridging theory and practice through an interdisciplinary approach. Specifically, he practices privately as a Psychologist, having provided mental health services at the Student Counseling and Support Center (KSSF) of the University of Macedonia (PAMAK). As a Dietitian-Nutritionist, alongside operating a private practice, he has collaborated with professional and amateur sports clubs. As a Food Technologist, he has worked with numerous food industries, contributing to the design of products that have received significant awards at the International Taste Awards and Healthy Diet Awards. Additionally, he is a researcher at the International Hellenic University (DIPE) and has served as a faculty member at a private university college in collaboration with the state University of Essex (United Kingdom), independently teaching courses in the BSc (Hons) Dietetics (Applied) program. Finally, he is a member of the Sports Nutrition Working Group and the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Committee of the Pan-Hellenic Association of Dietitians-Nutritionists, as well as the association's representative for the Florina Prefecture.

Andromaxi Sdoukou is a Psychologist and Systemic Psychotherapist practicing privately in Thessaloniki. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has completed her postgraduate degree in Systemic Psychotherapy at the University of Central Lancashire (UClan), in collaboration with the College of Humanities ICPS. She has completed training programs in Postmodern Systemic Approaches to Psychotherapy (Solution-Focused, Narrative, Collaborative Approach) at the Bienestar center, as well as in Systemic and Family Therapy at the Mental Health Center (KPSY) of the Western Sector of Thessaloniki. Additionally, she has completed training in Grief Support and Counseling at Merimna Thessaloniki and in Cinematherapy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. As part of her training, she has gained clinical experience in public mental health structures and non-governmental organizations in Thessaloniki, specifically in the Alternative Therapy Program for Dependent Individuals "ARGO," at the Mental Health Center of the Western Sector of Thessaloniki, and in the Social Service of ARSIS. From 2020 to 2021, she provided voluntary psychotherapeutic and counseling services in the Short-Term Psychological Support Group in days of Covid-19, a solidarity initiative she co-created with other Solution-Focused psychotherapists. She has volunteered at the Cinematherapy Festival, the world’s first Cinematherapy Festival, and since 2020 she has been writing articles on cinema and psychology. Currently, she provides psychotherapeutic services to adults, families, and couples through face-to-face or online sessions.

Giazitzi Vasiliki is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist, a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is recommended as the treatment of choice for a variety of mental disorders and is particularly effective.

She maintains private practices in Thessaloniki and Serres, providing psychotherapeutic services both in person and online to adults, adolescents, couples, and families.

She completed her postgraduate studies at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with a degree in "Global Medicine and Health Crisis Management".

Since 2021, she has specialized in cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy at the Hellenic Society of Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy.

From May 2019 to June 2024, she worked with NGOs on various UNICEF programs such as Child Protection (Child and Family Support Hubs) and subsequently the support of all children in education (All Children in Education).

Within the framework of this work, she participated in the design and support of cases involving domestic violence, as well as cases of severe anxiety, depression, phobias, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and various mental disorders requiring support. In 2021, she held a coordinating role in the Child Protection program in the Serres field.

Samara Anastasia is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains her private practice in the center of Thessaloniki. She is a graduate of the Psychology Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has completed her postgraduate studies with distinction in “Clinical Mental Health” (M.Sc. Clinical Mental Health) at the School of Medicine of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. During her postgraduate studies, she had the opportunity to conduct her thesis research in the field of Anxiety and Depressive Disorders and to participate in research groups. Additionally, she has specialized in Person-Centered and Focusing Experiential Counseling Psychotherapy through the completion of the four-year program at the Hellenic Center for Focusing. During her studies and as part of her internship, she gained experience working in various settings, including the acute ward III of the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, the 2nd University Clinic of the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, the Social Service of the Hellenic Youth Association of Thessaloniki, the Non-Governmental Organization “METAdrasi,” and lifelong learning centers and educational institutions, where she coordinated parent groups. In recent years, she has been working as a Psychologist at the Non-Governmental Organization “ARSIS,” where she supports adults and adolescents from diverse social groups.

Xristou A Maria Kai Synergates is an Psychotherapist - Art Therapist specializing in Counseling Psychotherapy for children and adults, and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She specializes in therapy and counseling for children, adults, and families, utilizing Art Therapy and Sandplay therapy methods. These two methods can be used in combination with Counseling Psychotherapy to maximize therapeutic outcomes. She obtained her master's degree in Expressive Psychotherapy in 2000 from Lesley University in Cambridge, United States. Since then, she has worked for over ten years as an Art Therapist both in the USA and Greece. Specifically, from 1989 to 2004, she worked at organizations including Summer Camp Organization (Stockholm, Sweden), Alsten School (Stockholm, Sweden), Ilex / Vinfen Corporation (Massachusetts, USA), Arlington Youth Counseling Center (Massachusetts, USA), YWCA (X.E.N., Maryland, USA), North Charles Inc., Mental Health & Addiction Services (Massachusetts, USA), and Turnaround Inc. (Baltimore, Maryland, USA). The specialist speaks Greek, Swedish, and English. She is a certified Art Therapist by the US Art Therapy Credentials Board and a member of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association and the Swedish Family Therapy Association.

Sioulis Aleksandros is a nutritionist with a private practice in the center of Thessaloniki. He is a graduate of the Clinical Dietetics Specialist department. Following his studies and seeking to deepen his knowledge in health and nutrition topics, as well as to stay informed about the latest developments in his field, he continued his education with a series of postgraduate programs and courses in nutrition. Some of these include: -National and Kapodistrian University of Athens: • Clinical Dietetics • Eating Disorders • Nutrition Coach -Harvard Medical School: • Healthy Eating For Diabetes • Healthy Eating For Cholesterol -Stanford Medical School: • Micronutrients and Diet • Essential Micronutrients -Tulane University: • Environmental Public Health (EPH) • Tribal Behavioral Health At his private office located in the center of Thessaloniki, Ermou 57 with Aristotelous, he has a clinical and non-clinical record of hundreds of successful cases. This success is attributed to his thorough specialization, psychological support, individualized case approach, and provision of fully personalized nutrition plans, advice, and recipes tailored to the specific needs of each client. Thus, he achieves the health and weight goals through a process that offers the client well-being, rapid results, and knowledge in the field of nutrition, enabling the client to maintain the achieved goal by having changed their dietary habits according to their personal needs and preferences.

Anna Kolokotroni is a Clinical Dietitian based in Thessaloniki. She studied Nutrition and Dietetics at the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki and specialized in Clinical Nutrition with a postgraduate degree from the International Hellenic University. She gained experience in hospitals such as Theageneio and AHEPA, and has participated in the WHO's COSI program for childhood obesity. She holds a Diploma in Eating Disorders and Obesity from the United Kingdom. Since 2021, she has been operating a dietetic practice in the center of Thessaloniki, helping individuals improve their health and quality of life through nutrition.

Mastromanoli Paraskeui is a Psychologist with a private practice in Stavroupoli. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2019. The same year, she began her training in cognitive-behavioral therapy at the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research (HSBR) - Macedonia Branch, where she continues to train to this day. She has completed her postgraduate studies at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, titled "Mental Health and Psychiatry of Children and Adolescents." Since 2023, she has maintained her private office in Western Thessaloniki, providing counseling and psychotherapy services to adults, children, and adolescents. Her therapeutic scope encompasses a range of disorders (anxiety, panic attacks, depression, difficulties in socialization, eating disorders, etc.), as well as requests such as parental counseling and deeper self-understanding. She is also involved in research programs.